20 projects approved in Protected Areas, Eco-Sensitive Zones during 2024-26: Centre

MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh. Pic/ IANS

During the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26, environmental clearance was granted to 20 infrastructure projects and activities, either wholly or partly located within Protected Areas (PAs) or Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs)/Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESAs), the Centre informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Responding to a query in the Upper House, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh said the existing regulatory framework prescribes project-specific environmental safeguards as part of the environmental clearance conditions to avoid, minimise and mitigate adverse environmental impacts.

The safeguards include measures related to wildlife protection, habitat conservation, pollution control, compensatory afforestation, and environmental monitoring, he said.

Singh added that the approval process also involves a scientific appraisal and scrutiny, ensuring that adequate safeguards are incorporated to protect ecologically sensitive landscapes.

He further said that proposals requiring Wildlife Clearance for projects located within Protected Areas, Eco-Sensitive Zones or forest areas undergo a multi-tiered scrutiny process involving the State Chief Wildlife Warden and the State Board for Wildlife.

"Thereafter, the proposals are scrutinised by the Ministry and the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SCNBWL), which examines the ecological sensitivity of the area, the cumulative and site-specific impacts on wildlife habitats and corridors, and the proposed mitigation measures on a case-by-case basis," Singh said.

He added that the SCNBWL recommends proposals for Wildlife Clearance only after carefully considering their environmental impact, proposed mitigation measures and appropriate safeguards.

The Minister of State also said that environmental clearance is granted only after due consideration of a project's environmental impacts and the incorporation of project-specific safeguards, including mitigation measures outlined in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

He emphasised that no construction or other project-related activity can begin unless the project proponent obtains Wildlife Clearance under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever